Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a process flow of a semiconductor wafer. In one embodiment, the method initially calculates a first location of the wafer before it is processed. The wafer is then moved into a process chamber where it is processed. Then a second location of the wafer is calculated before the wafer is unloaded. If the difference between the first and second locations are within a predetermined amount, the wafer is unloaded and regular processing steps proceed. If the difference is not within the predetermined amount, an alarm is activated and the process is stopped.

Abstract: A remote work supporting system includes a photographing device for photographing a work target machine that is to be worked on by a first operator, a first display for displaying an image of the target machine to the first operator, a second display for displaying the same image to a second operator, an operation device to be operated by the second operator, and an instruction displaying device for displaying contents of instructions in the first display based on operations made on the operation device. Since the instruction contents are displayed in the first display according to the operations made on the operation device by the second operator, the first and second operators can share considerable amount of information.

Abstract: There are provided a component suction site-teaching system and method for an electronic component-mounting apparatus including a vacuum nozzle having a nozzle end face for picking up an electronic component thereat by vacuum. The vacuum nozzle is moved in directions of X axis and Y axis. An image of the electronic component set at a pickup position is taken. A graphical image of the nozzle end face of the vacuum nozzle is created from shape data of the vacuum nozzle. The image of the electronic component taken by the image taking means and the graphical image of the nozzle end face created by the image creating means, are displayed on a screen such that the graphical image of the nozzle end face is superimposed on the image of the electronic component.

Abstract: For a wafer earlier than a n'th wafer (n>2) in a lot, a method (and an apparatus) of this invention detects positions of all shot areas, separates a nonlinear component and linear component of each of position deviation amounts, evaluates nonlinear distortion of the wafer based on the position deviation amounts and an evaluation function, and calculates nonlinear components of the position deviation amounts of all shot areas according to a complement function determined based on the evaluation results. On the other hand, for the n'th or later wafer, the method (and the apparatus) calculates position coordinates, of all shot areas, having linear components of position deviation amounts thereof corrected by using EGA, and detects positions of the shot areas based on the position coordinates having linear components thereof corrected and the nonlinear components calculated in the above.

Abstract: A transport device in which two drive rollers are coupled with and face one another is described. Both drive rollers exert a uniform driving force on the webs of a container so that the container is transported linearly and without jolts. The transport device for transporting containers with at least two parallel webs contains at least two parallel rows of rollers on which the webs can run. At least one group of drive rollers for transmitting a driving force to the webs is provided. The drive rollers contain one primary drive roller and at least one secondary drive roller. The drive rollers are integrated into one row of rollers and the primary drive roller is driven by a motor. The drive rollers are coupled with one another in such a manner that the primary drive roller drives the secondary drive roller.

Abstract: Transferring apparatus includes a main body defining a take-up position at which a rectangular glass substrate is located and a transfer position spaced apart from the take-up position. A transferring mechanism is arranged between the take-up and transfer positions and provided with a hand for supporting the substrate and transferring the substrate from the take-up position to the transfer position. Two optical sensors are provided on the hand and detect one side of the substrate located at the take-up position. A control section of the apparatus generates positional data in accordance with the detection signals from the sensors. The positional data includes an angle of the one side of the substrate to the hand and a distance between the one side and the hand. The control section controls the operation of the transferring mechanism based on the positional data so as to transfer the substrate from the take-up position and the transfer position and to position it to the transfer position.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for producing products and a method of controlling such an apparatus, having a programmable logic controller—PLC—an axis control system, for controlling axes, and a visualization system for displaying processes and/or process parameters. In known apparatus of this type, the PLC, the axis control system and the visualization system are implemented in physically self-contained appliances. Linking these components requires a great deal of effort both during construction and during operation of the apparatus. The data interchange between the components requires an “overhead” in order to ensure the communication between the components. This is disadvantageous. The invention therefore seeks to improve such manufacturing apparatus and control methods in that the PLC, the axis control system and the visualization system run on a common physical appliance.

Abstract: Transferring apparatus includes a main body defining a take-up position at which a rectangular glass substrate is located and a transfer position spaced apart from the take-up position. A transferring mechanism is arranged between the take-up and transfer positions and provided with a hand for supporting the substrate and transferring the substrate from the take-up position to the transfer position. Two optical sensors are provided on the hand and detect one side of the substrate located at the take-up position. A control section of the apparatus generates positional data in accordance with the detection signals from the sensors. The positional data includes an angle of the one side of the substrate to the hand and a distance between the one side and the hand. The control section controls the operation of the transferring mechanism based on the positional data so as to transfer the substrate from the take-up position and the transfer position and to position it to the transfer position.

Abstract: Methods for assembling, handling, and fabricating are disclosed in which targets are used on objects. The targets can be specifically applied to the object, or can be an otherwise normal feature of the object. Conveniently, the targets are removable from the object or covered by another object during an assembling process. One or more robots and imaging devices for the targets are used. The robots can be used to handle or assemble a part, or a fixture may be used in conjunction with the robots. Conveniently, the CAD design system is used in designing the targets as well as for the assembly process using the targets. A plurality of targets can also be used to monitor and inspect a forming process such as on a sheet panel.

Abstract: A valve positioner system that includes one or more unique control methods and devices, including several routines to facilitate the continuous maintenance, calibration and adjustment requirements of the valve. The positioner system may utilize pressure and position feedback signals to monitor the valve. The positioner system may utilize an external controller for various diagnostic and other routines. The positioner system can provide automatic positioning and can operate in a manual operating mode or an automatic operating mode. The positioner system can diagnose the valve while the valve process is running or during a maintenance operation. The positioner system can provide nonlinear control of the valve position. The positioner system can self-tune and self-characterize the valve to assure uniform position control. The positioner system can provide valve control through pressure feedback when a position feedback fails or other diagnosed problems.

Abstract: When plural board blocks formed in one board undergo sequential part-mountings at plural mounting stages, particular recognition points and recognition points in the board blocks target of a downstream mounting stage are recognized at an upstream mounting stage. Relative positional data of each recognition point of the board block with respect to the particular recognition points are thus obtained at the upstream mounting stage. At the mounting stage on downstream side, only the particular recognition points are recognized thereby detecting a whole position of the board. Based on the whole position and the relative positional data, a positional deviation of the board block at the mounting stage can be detected, so that repeated recognition of the same recognition points is avoided thereby shortening a total time of position recognition.

Abstract: So as to achieve accurate detection of the bonding tool position in, for instance, a wire bonding apparatus, the positional relationship between a position detection camera and a reference hole formed in, for instance, a clamper is measured by imaging the reference hole by the position detection camera. The position detection camera and a bonding tool are moved by an XY table, and the tip end of the bonding tool is inserted into the reference hole. Then, the bonding tool is moved in the X and Y directions, and the contact of the bonding tool to an edge of the reference hole is detected based upon changes in the waveform of the ultrasonic vibrations applied to the bonding tool, thus measuring the positional relationship between the tool and the reference hole. The offset amount between the position detection camera and the bonding tool is then determined based upon the measured values and the amounts of movement of the bonding tool between the locations for such measured values.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a processing machine to perform a processing operation on a workpiece by (a) determining the nominal locations of at least two sensible reference marks on the workpiece in terms of the coordinates of the workpiece; (b) loading the workpiece on the processing machine; (c) sensing, and measuring the actual locations of, the reference marks on the workpiece when so mounted, in terms of the coordinates of the processing machine; (d) determining at least one geometrical transformation needed to transform the workpiece coordinates of the nominal locations of the reference marks to the processing machine coordinates of the actual locations of the reference marks; (e) and controlling the processing machine in accordance with the determined geometrical transformation.

Abstract: Parallel organized unit-by-unit manufacturing and assembly systems and methods for computer systems and other products advantageously integrate into a build-to-order environment. Responsive to orders received, kit trays are prepared that each hold parts and components needed to build an ordered product. The kit tray is transferred to a work cell where a team builds the product. The product is then tested and repaired, with information regarding any problems provided to the responsible work cell.

Abstract: A system for marking elongated wire and for cutting the wire and stripping insulation therefrom comprising first structure operable to mark the wire; second structure operable to cut the marked wire and to strip insulation from the wire; the wire extending between and movable between the first and second structures, the first and second structure comprising separate stand-alone devices; and control structure, including external computer means, operatively connected with the first and second structures for controlling operation of the first and second structures in time sequence relation to wire movement therebetween, and/or to control wire marking, wire cutting, and insulation stripping length.

Abstract: An area division unit divides a part placement area into a plurality of divided areas based on an area granularity. A part gravity value operation unit and a parts replacement unit extract a set of parts at each end of a connection line for each placement according to a connection line definition table and a parts placement table. If each part belonging to the set of parts obtained in the second process exists in a different divided area for each connection line, then the placement of each part belonging to a divided area is amended in the divided area in such a way that a connection line length between the parts can be shortened. A repetition control unit repeats a series of the above described processes while optionally changing a division starting position of the area division unit. An area granularity change unit repeats the series of the processes up to this point while gradually reducing an area granularity each time the above described series of processes terminate.

Abstract: A gauging system is disclosed. The gauging system is adapted to determine the dimensions of an elongate workpiece. A movement assembly is provided for effecting relative longitudinal movement between the gauging device and the elongate workpiece so that the gauging device can repeatedly detect the diameter of the workpiece relative to reference positions along the length of the workpiece. This enables the profile of the workpiece to be accurately determined. The gauging device may comprise a laser gauge, or other non-contact gauge. Alternatively, the gauging device may comprise a contact gauge.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of controlling a processing apparatus designed to perform a predetermined process for a target processing substrate within a processing chamber after a predetermined operation of a movable member arranged in the processing chamber. The processing apparatus instructs the driving system of the movable member to perform an operation reverse to the predetermined operation when the predetermined operation cannot be confirmed within a defined time, and instructs the driving system to perform the predetermined operation again after the reverse operation is confirmed.

Abstract: A method for setting data for conveying a lead frame having a plurality of islands thereon to and from a bonding position of a bonding apparatus including feeding a lead frame so that the first island on the lead frame is positioned at the bonding position and the cross-hairs of a television monitor are aligned with an arbitrary position on the first island, storing the amount of feeding of the lead frame in a data memory, feeding the lead frame next so that the last island on the lead frame is positioned at the bonding position, aligning an arbitrary position on the last island which corresponds to the arbitrary position on the first island with the cross-hairs of the television camera and storing the amount of feeding of the lead frame in the data memory.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming product using a computer-based device for non-contact gauging a product size of a forming product in an aperture environment having measurement inhibiting matter, a device forming product having a product size controller, a scanning device for generating a scan signal indicative of the product size, a computer-based device having an amplifying device for amplifying the scan signal in a manner to readily permit analysis thereof, software and hardware for receiving and analyzing the amplified signal and generating an output indicative of product size in response thereto and software and hardware operably associated with the receiving, analyzing and generating software and hardware for actuating the control software and hardware of the product forming apparatus in accordance with the output.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the creation of a electronic domain geometric modeling data file containing internal and external features of an object of interest by first successively removing contours of material forming the object to form exposed surfaces and thereby reveal the internal and external features contour by contour and second by subsequently, successively acquiring data relative to the exposed surfaces. The geometry of each exposed surface is obtained, processed and recorded after each contour is removed. The processing is converted to perimeter data to define the internal and external features and surfaces of the object and the perimeter data is combined to yield a three dimensional electronic domain representation of the object. If desired this representation can be displayed on a computer monitor or printed onto paper.

Abstract: A station for assembling motor-vehicle bodies or subassemblies thereof comprises an integrated system for detecting the micro-deflections of the side locating gates which engage the body during the assembling operation, with the resulting possibility of calculating the forces along a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the assembling station, to which the assembled structure is subjected.

Abstract: A method for forming mounting data, includes reading component text data corresponding to to-be-mounted components of individual mounting positions stored in a component electronic catalog, according to mounting-position data including mounting angles relating to the mounting positions formed on the to-be-mounted components, by using the component electronic catalog that has stored image data concerning various types of components including the to-be-mounted components as well as component text data necessary for component mounting including configurations and dimensions of the components. The method also includes forming mounting data for a mounter to receive components and mount them to specified mounting positions according to the mounting-position data as well as the component text data read for the individual mounting components concerning the to-be-mounted components corresponding to the mounting-position data.